Our Opinion: Pedestrian-friendly signs help brand Tallahassee

With the 2013 legislative session starting next week, we can expect hundreds of visitors to converge on the capital as they track bills, lobby legislators and bring attention to issues from across the state.

This gives our city a chance to stand up and stand out in making a good first impression on those visitors, with the hope that they will return and support our local businesses.

It'll be even better if they get easily acquainted or reacquainted with Tallahassee, a city where lots of new activity is bubbling up.

One key destination will be downtown Tallahassee, and that's why city and county planning staffs are to be commended for the installment of a prototype wayfinding sign on Kleman Plaza. Think of how many times you've parked at the plaza or in other downtown locations and had someone approach for information on how to get to various destinations.

The prototype directs you to City Hall/Visitors Information, the Challenger Center/Imax Theater, the Capitol and parking. Depending on the response, planners would like to include the Civic Center, the Leon County Courthouse, the Supreme Court and nearby museums.

The 12-foot prototype with gold directional pointers is another attempt to promote the city's downtown. Later, others will be placed in Cascades Park, Midtown and Frenchtown.

"It's also there to promote walkability to the downtown," said Dan Donovan of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department. "The existing (green) signs direct cars, while these help direct people. There are more ways to walk rather than (following) the driving route."

But before expanding the sign locations, planners want to get public reaction. You can participate in a survey online at http://www.talgov.com/planning/designworks-wayfinding.aspx, or by using your smartphone to scan the QR code on the sign.

Throughout downtown, there remain several signs dating to 1998 that help direct motorists traveling downtown, but anyone who has seen these signs can notice that they've suffered some wear and tear over the years.

The new signs also will help visitors connect with a changing Tallahassee, from Gaines Street to Midtown, and that can provide local businesses in gaining exposure far beyond the legislative session.

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Our Opinion: Pedestrian-friendly signs help brand Tallahassee

With the 2013 legislative session starting next week, we can expect hundreds of visitors to converge on the capital as they track bills, lobby legislators and bring attention to issues from across